Firmin Ngrébada
Central African politician
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Firmin Ngrébada (born 24 May 1968)[1] is a Central African politician who served as Prime Minister of the Central African Republic from 25 February 2019 to 15 June 2021.[2][3] He was appointed after a peace deal was signed between the government and 14 armed groups to try to suppress violence in the ongoing civil war.[4] He also led the Central African Republic's delegation in the negotiations of the peace deal.[5]
Firmin Ngrébada | |
|---|---|
| |
| Prime Minister of the Central African Republic | |
| In office 25 February 2019 – 15 June 2021 | |
| President | Faustin-Archange Touadéra |
| Preceded by | Simplice Sarandji |
| Succeeded by | Henri-Marie Dondra |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 24 May 1968[1] |
| Party | United Hearts Movement |
| Education | University of Bangui |
| Profession | Politician, principal labor inspector |
Political career
Firmin Ngrebada graduated in law in 1988, then he obtained a master's degree in public law in 1994, at the University of Bangui. He entered public service in October 1993, inspecting social and labor law.[6]
Ngrébada served as Deputy Cabinet Director under Simplice Sarandji when Sarandji was Cabinet Director and Faustin-Archange Touadéra was Prime Minister.[7] He went on to become the cabinet director of the Central African Republic, and chief of staff to the President.[4][7] On 25 February 2019, Ngrébada was sworn in as Prime Minister.[8]
On 10 June 2021, Ngrébada and his entire cabinet resigned following the withdrawal of 160 French soldiers from the country earlier that week.[9] The French government suspended the soldiers after alleging that the current government was complicit in Russian propaganda, especially Ngrébada.[10] In addition, they accused the government of failing to fight anti-French disinformation and of harsh treatment against the opposition.[9]
He also maintained ties with the Wagner Group, a Russian private military company.[11] However, he later stated in 2023 that he was not the "Russians' man" and said it was absurd accusations.[11] In addition, upon the outbreak of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, he opposed FACA soldiers getting involved in the war and said it does not involve them.[12]
